Peace Diamonds

By

Patrick Mazimhaka

Updated Sept. 15, 2006 12:01 a.m. ET

Africa's commodities, especially diamonds, have been given a bad rap. They are all too often judged as the fundamental reason for conflict. In academic circles, it has become fashionable to point to greed -- as opposed to grievances seen as more legitimate -- as the cause of African wars. It's true that battles for mining rights have featured in many recent conflicts on the continent. But what war has not to some extent been about control of resources?

In any case, to blame diamonds -- or any gem or metal -- for fueling...